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NASA Discovers Methane on Dwarf Planet Makemake

9/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A team from Southwest Research Institute detected methane gas on the dwarf planet Makemake using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
This discovery makes Makemake the second trans-Neptunian object confirmed to have gas, following Pluto.
Methane exists in the gas phase above Makemake's surface, suggesting it is a dynamic body.
Possible sources for methane include a thin atmosphere or plume-like outgassing.
Future observations will clarify methane's origin and improve understanding of Makemake's volatile cycle.

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Story summary

A team from Southwest Research Institute detected methane gas on the dwarf planet Makemake using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
This discovery makes Makemake the second trans-Neptunian object confirmed to have gas, following Pluto.
Methane exists in the gas phase above Makemake's surface, suggesting it is a dynamic body.
Possible sources for methane include a thin atmosphere or plume-like outgassing.
Future observations will clarify methane's origin and improve understanding of Makemake's volatile cycle.